Bird's Eye View By The Hawk
Page 36
Page 37
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Minus One
THE Road Haulage Association now have only three national vice-chairmen. The vacancy caused by Mr. J. H. Mitchell's election to the chair has not been filled. The articles of association prescribe a maximum of four vice-chairmen, but that number is not essential. The vacancy is not likely to be filled until the annual elections next May.
Merit Rewarded
THEgrowing number of operators who are arranging special functions to present The Commercial Motor Diploma of Merit to their drivers who qualified for it in the final of the Lorry Driver of the Year Competition is gratifying. This trend speaks well of the increasing importance attached to both the competition and the award.
Touché
EADER writers are often wrong, but never in doubt."— Mr. Ernest Marples, Minister of Transport.
Outdone
SOCIALLY, one of the highlights of last week was a dinner and theatre party to which Leyland Motors, Ltd., graciously invited me. Mr. Norman Dean, general manager of the Yorkshire Traction Co., Ltd., springing on his toes like a jackin-the-box, sent everyone off to the Apollo Theatre in a high humour with his vote of thanks to Sir Henry Spurrier, Leyland's chairman and managing-director. The show was the uproariously funny "Pieces of Eight." Lex Garages, round the corner, went one better with pieces of eight-and-sixpence for parking my 11-litre car for 4 hours 25 minutes. Not so funny.
Masterly
I HAVE mentioned before the difficulty of coining suitable -1 names for new products. It is exemplified in the wearisome repetition of "master" as a suffix. Almost every new vehicle seems to be some sort of master. I offer a slap-up dinner to the first manufacturer to name his latest model the Iunkmaster.
Noise Research
•
I WAS fascinated by the investigation into noise that was I being undertaken on the Motor Industry Research Association's stand at Earls Court. Earphones were provided for listening to the sound of jet aircraft, various road vehicles, a typewriter, a road drill, the roar of heavy traffic, a diesel train and many other day-to-day disturbances. At the end of the excellent recording, listeners were requested to complete a 'long questionnaire, listing their reactions to noise and thiir -driving experience in great detail. It Will be interesting to know what use is to be made of the information.
Playing to the Gallery
MY sympathy goes out to the man on one of the gallery stands at Earls Court, who was demonstrating the " simplicity, ease and perfection" of the vulcanized tube repair. Having meticulously cleaned the tube, prepared the surfaces and applied the plaster, he inflated the repaired patch. The ensuing burst made the day for 15 interested spectators.
Away Win TRAVELLERS last week on the "Bournemouth Belle," the
all-Pullman daily service from Waterloo to Bournemouth. were presented with pencils advertising the Commercial Motor Show. •They bore the imprint and stand numbers of Weston Works (Birmingham), .Ltd., and W. P, Butterfield, Ltd:, of Shipley.. There' is nothing like meeting the railways on their own track.
Soused
GDING to the Commercial Motor Show by Underground. I was approached by a small, dark, olive-skinned woman, who asked: "How to Sous Kensington?" I said I thought vinegar was the usual method, but had she tried olive oil? She hadn'i.
More Protection
TWO or three operators I have met this week, who have bought new Bedford TK vehicles, mentioned a fear that the front bumper was too close to the body. One said he was going to extend it forward. I have news for them. Vauxhall Motors are thinking of doing something along those lines to increase froft-end protection.